PURISTS BEWARE - Early 911 speedster project, part 1
 

Well I've been talking about this one for a while, see:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=168191&perpage=20&highl ight=early%20speedster&pagenumber=1

Its now on - here's the donor (victim?) car

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1092570782.jpg

Its a 1971 Viper green 911T with a 2.4 and a 915 in place of the original 2.2/901. Whilst its a little bit rough around the edges, it drives like a dream. Great torquey little engine, very smooth shifting gearbox (with short shift), excellent brakes, good clutch - mechanically its spot on.

But is it too good to chop? We'll see if I can do it when the conversion parts are found and the time comes to grab the hacksaw...

ps: If any of the Aussies on the board want a great little early targa then grab your cheque books fast while I'm still a little queasy.

pps: Anyone got any leads on a 89 speedster clamshell?

Wow, that's nice! Where did you end up finding that one?

Almost too nice to chop up...

You have a couple hot rods already. Keep this to take your best gal out on the town for a nice dinner.

I am not a big fan of the targa, however the brushed finish roll hoop works well with the brightwork and tasty green paintwork.

Maybe backdate those seats...add some driving lights and finish the wheels ala rsr...

BK

Too nice to chop for me. I could understand if you were in CA but aren't early cars big money in down under?

Adam - Was chatting to a mechanic I know a few weeks ago and asked him if he knew of any 'unwanted' early targas. He gave me the number of a guy 10 mins from my place who has had this one for a while but doesn't really use it anymore. Had a look/drive, made an offer and bingo. The body is a little unloved but going thru the receipts it looks like he was very generous in keeping the mechanicals in order - hence why i drives so bloody well.

BK - The 930 is my official street car, and my girlfriend (motorbike rider) loves it (even likes the boost!)

Phil - I've been thinking about this little project for quite a while but now its do-able I may get cold feet. I've never liked targas but this little green beast is growing on me - and summer's on the way...

The longer you keep it, the harder it will be to commence the cut.

Will viper green remain the colour of the speedster? If so, I say leave it as a targa.

don't you cut that car...

sjd

Anthony - the green would remain at first, its really a cool colour in the flesh. it would also be helpful in messing with people's heads (ie. oh yeah, its an early factory prototpye...) Long term - silver would be the go.

SJD - I'm going to test the Aussie for sale markets first but if nobody wants it - bbbzzzzzzz

That sounds funny. I guess you can't stand the sight of a Viper Green Speedster. :D

Frankly, me either. Silver sounds good.

Ryan,

Paint the hood and doors white, Get a blue light for the decklid, stick a siren on the targa bar and slap on some "POLIZEI" decals.

Instant cred.

Ahh Victor - sage advice as always. Now hand me that angle grinder...

to nice to cut it get a roller

Easier said than done.

It's too damn cute.

I went down this road before. I had a 72' Targa roller as a candidate. I ended up giving it away when I found my 71' S Targa and needed the room. The Targas have a way of growing on you.

I would still love to do the early speedster thing but I just don't have the time.

I came to the conclusion that it would be much easier and probably cheaper to buy an 89' speedster and back date it. I know its not the same but diffenently faster and easier.

Ryan,

It'd be a much better summer car without the rear glass.

MH - "It'd be a much better summer car without the rear glass."

or the front glass
or the targa bar
or the windscreen frame...

Ryan:

Go for it! It'd be a great, albeit, potentially costly project. I'd like to start such a project from such a nice car; it's a project that I have on my list.

I'd like a Cabrio from such a car, but the Speedster concept is even more interesting.

But, like Bobby said, starting from an '89 Speedster would be even better. :) I am not sure if the folks here would give you more sheeit for cutting up your green T or an '89 Speedster. :)

A backdated '89 Speedster with a TT motor, tail-less RUF IC set-up would be about as cool as it could get in Porscheopia, IMHO.

Follow your heart.

BR,

Kurt

Yes... too good to chop... in my (completely unbiased ;) ) opinion.

-MAS

I've seen an early 911 speedster at both of the Classic Le Mans.
At this years event there was even a 993 Speedster.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

The logic with starting with a runner is I didn't want to spend half of the project fixing a car (at who knows what cost) but rather just jump in a do the conversion. Plus its a non matching numbers T.

As to backdating an '89 - there is only one for sale down here and they are asking big $$$'s.

Also, the plan was always to try and create a really minimalist car in the spirit of the 356 speedsters and 550 spyders - ie. a tonneau instead of a top, little plastic screen etc

We'll just have to wait and see if I can do it...

ps: Big Mac - did you get any pics of the early speedster?

buy a VW beetle if you have to hack up something.

CHOP! CHOP! CHOP!

Pics or it didn't happen.

Oh now that you say it's a non-matching numbers car.....get out the angle grinder!! :)

Where's the one that's being done right now?

Why all the soul searching, it's not like it's an SC.

Zeke - here you go:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/149249-early-911-speedster-project-goes.html

Jamie - now THAT's funny! (especially given I dislike SC's even more than I dislike 3.2's)

I think you guys are way off base -- both of you -- in your denigration of SCs. They are good, reliable, pedestrian cars for people to run around in while they decide whether they want to buy a true 911 or not.

OK Randy, I'll put you on the spot. What would a true 911 be? Hmmm?

up to and including '73, of course. After that, they just start getting heavier and heavier....


The 993 is a nice GT tho, even if it isn't a sports car.....

It is better to cut a mechanically good car.

Most of you guys have said the car is cute/nice, that's true. What else is true, is that being cute never made any porsche collectible.

For those who like cute, you will not be complaining when it is a convertible/speedster in our sydney summer.

I beg you not to cut it up..

You will be committing Porsche vandalism.

If I had the spare $, I would take it away from it's cruel master.

Ohh my favourite colour too, pity its not a coupe or I would be dead serious.

The angle grinder is packed - looks like us Sydney Pelican's have got a cutting party, strike one targa. {evil laugh}

Too good do chop. enjoy it for a while as is... you really would!

i have zero interest in owning a targa - so its chop or sell!

It belongs to Steve Winter from JAZ in Wembley and was featured in 911&Porsche World a while ago. The article may be a useful resource before embarking on this project - I am sure you can get back issues.

The Steve Winter car has a hotrod engine and together with the light weight is really fast. Steve told me 170mph with the top off racing a 355 on the French Autoroute before it ran out of revs and bent some valves. This was on the way back from 2003 Le Mans.

Sounds like a fun car.

Richard

Thanks Richard - I have the article on the silver JAZ car - and there are some pics of it in this earlier thread:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=168191&perpage=20&highl ight=early%20speedster&pagenumber=1

It looks too good in the pic though it's still a 'bitza'.

It's got a different engine and gearbox, plus it was a LHD car and has been converted... why would you start with a roller, eventually it'll be as good (probably better) as this one.

It's destiny is to be chopped.

Ryan - you've always wanted to do it, you've bought the perfect donor - I've got a new angle grinder... I'll see you saturday!

Let me know when this chopping party is and I'll be there ;)

CHOP IT!